There has been so much written about turning the Orange Line busway into a light-rail operation. The Valley Industry and Commerce Association and the Daily News are supportive. However, there’s an obvious missing link that should get a much higher priority: Linking the Metro Red Line at Lankershim and Chandler with Metro Rail.

This would be a relatively short spur that would open a huge window of transit for the East Valley, as well as commuters from and to the north.

A light-rail line up Lankershim to the existing Metro Rail at San Fernando Road would close that missing link. Work in North Hollywood, Hollywood or Silverlake? No need to go into downtown, then double back via Metro Rail.

Let’s hope VICA and the Daily News take off their West Valley blinders and get behind this idea.

You published letters from the Israeli Embassy channeled through misguided local partisans. You are past due for an opposing view.

Disinformation is a staple of aggressive war, such as Israel’s current onslaught vs. civilians, women and children and a minority of militants targeting hospitals — all done with U.S. weapons and the genuflection of our corrupt politicians from President Obama down.

Distrusting all government sources, I rely on good journalism. Per reports in many media, the current round of killing was initiated by Israel. Within two days of the abduction of three Israeli teens in June, the government knew they were dead yet conducted one of the most cynical charades in history. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government blamed Hamas for the murders without citing evidence, sent parents of the dead teens to the United Nations to plead for their return, and for two weeks whipped up anti-Arab war hysteria while conducting an army crackdown in the occupied West Bank.

Then, another war on Gaza resembling a boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Woody Allen. How many more lopsided wars do your letter writers believe Israel can undertake to prolong occupying another people and continually stealing their land?

Support for Israel is at an all-time low among U.S. Jews, and for good reason.

— Anthony Saidy, Los Angeles The letter writer is the former vice-chair of Coalition for Peace in the Middle East

Polio victim an inspiration to many in a harsh world

Re “Joe Garcia is a hard man to forget” (Dennis McCarthy, July 24):

Joe Garcia, 73, who is paralyzed from the neck down after he contracted polio at the age of 19, is one of the most incredible people I have ever read about. And his sister in law Alyce Garcia is equally incredible.

Dennis McCarthy shows in his column — mostly about these two people — that human caring for one another still exists in a world shattered by selfishness, violence, terrorism and political leaders who care about no one but themselves.

Joe Garcia’s ability to be a neighborhood tutor to young people in math and science shows a personal achievement beyond my comprehension. I don’t know how Dennis finds these amazing people to feature in his columns, but keep up the good work!